[fintstone]

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

After three years off active duty as a Navy E-6, I got the itch to look at the reserves. I'm physically qualified as a "Class B" which means no deployment over 30 days and only INCONUS for a year without special permission. I have to change job fields from FC (Weapons Electronics) to IS (Intel Specialist) but I don't lose any stripes and they give me a bonus.
Add in my active duty time (9 yrs.) and I retire from the reserve in another nine years. I can collect a pension at 60; 50% of base pay at my final pay grade, and I can shop at the commissary and exchange.
Other than the obvious risk of deployment in the future, which I don't really mind doing as an intel weenie OR electronics geek does anyone know of any down sides? I know we have at least one active duty squid (granted he flies helos) but what does the Pelican brain-trust have to say about it?

I think joining the reserves is great....but you need to adjust your expectations. You need to take a look at how retirement is computed. You will not get 50% unless you are on duty over 300 days per year...and in that case...you might as well do active duty. Most reservists that I know do the minimum amount (about 35 days per year) which will only give you less than 30% at 20 years.